Beet harvester



BEET HARVES'I'ER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed lay 10, 1944 FIG. I

' INVENTOm CLAUDE w. WALZ CLARENCE T.- Rom'r D.GRIFF March I, 1949; c. w. WALZ ET AL 2,463,447

BRET HARVESTER 54 T. usseNmoakRTusmFF March 1, 1949.

Filed llay 10. 1944 C. W. WALZ EI'AL BEE! HARVESTER 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 4

March 1949. c; w. WALZ EIAL 2,463,447

BEE! HARVESTER Filed lay 10, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 a sn 3 8 E B INVENTORS W. WALZ March 1, 1949. c. w, w z ETAL BEET HARVESTER 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 10, 1944 247 FIG. 7

54G I N VEN TORS CLAUDE W. WALZ CLARENCE T RASMUSSEN ROBERT D. GRIFF A RNEYS Patented Mar. 1, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE near muwns'ran Application May 10, 1944, Serial No. 534,952

This is a continuation in part of our co-pending application, Serial No. 485,526, filed May 3, 1943, which has matured into Patent No. 2,438,627, issued March 30, 1948.

The present invention relates generally to agricultural machines and more particular-y to harvesters of a type adapted to harvest root crops and the like.

The object and general nature of the present invention is the provision of a new and useful beet harvester for harvesting sugar beets. More particularly, it is a feature of this invention to provide a new and improved beet lifting unit including rotatable beet engaging means disposed above and rearwardly of a pair of beet lifting plows in which the beet engaging means is made to accommodate different sizes of beets. Further, it is a feature of this invention to provide suitable draft connections between the tractor and the beet lifting unit whereby the latter may be capable of lateral movement relative to the tractor so as to accommodate more readily variations in the row spacing.

It is a further feature of this invention to provide improved driving connections between the source of power on the tractor and the rotatable elements of the beet lifting unit, which driving connections are so constructed and arranged as to accommodate the lateral movement of the lifting unit as well as the vertical movement thereof, as when lifting the same into a transport position.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description. taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which the preferred forms of the present invention have been illustrated.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view of the rear portion of a beet harvester in which the principles of the present invention have been embodied.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the structure shown in Figure 1, illustrating two positions of the beet lifting unit and associated parts.

Figure 3 is a view taken generally along the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figures 4 and 5 are views similar to Figures 1 and 2 but showing a modified form of the present invention.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken generally along the line 8-4 of Figure 4.

21 Claims. (Cl. 55-106) Figure '7 is a view taken generally along the line 1-1 of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view showing the kicker wheel biasing means.

Referring first tq Figures 1 and 2, the tractor is indicated in its entirety by the reference character T and includes a combination frame and transmission case 2 from the rear portion of which rear axle sleeves I extend, receiving a pair of axle shafts l on'which rear traction wheels I are fixed. The tractor T is equipped with a power lift unit. indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 1, which comprises a rockshait 0 on which a power lift arm I is fixed by any suitable means, such as clamping bolts ii and a clamping member i2.

The rear portion of die transmission case 2 and the sleeves I together form a rear axle to which the parts of the beet harvester with which the present invention is particularly concerned are connected. The beat harvester comprises a supporting frame I! which is generally rectangular in plan and which embodies right and left hand longitudinal bars i6 and I1 and a rear angle bar 58, together with suitable cross braces 2i and 22, a longitudinal frame member 24 and other parts mentioned below. As best shown in Figure 2, the frame i5 includes at its forward end generally downwardly extending bars 21, the upper ends of which are fixed to the forward ends of the frame bars i6 and i1 and the lower ends of which are connected with the rear ends of the bars iii and II by suitable braces 28, the latter being bolted to the lower ends of the forward vertical frame bars 21 and to the rear ends of the longitudinal frame bars i6 and H, as at 29 and II.

The frame structure I! Just described preferably is secured to the rear sides of the rear axle extensions 3 by attaching studs 33 at each side of the tractor. At the right side of the tractor. a vertical angle member 35 is secured at its lower end to the forward side of the right hand rear axle extension 3 and at its upper end receives the forward end of the downwardly and rearwardiy extending brace rod 36, the rear end of which is connected at 31 to the right end of the cross bar It. Similar bracing is provided at the left side of the tractor. Also, another bracing link is connected at its rear end to the upper end of each of the vertical angles 35 and extends downwardly and forwardly and is connected at its forward end to the tractor, preferably near the front end thereof. The tractor T is provided with a power take-off shaft 45 of conventional construction. and power is derived from the power take-oil shaft II for driving the various parts of the beet harvester, as will be explained below.

The frame ll adjacent its forward and downwardly extending portion carries a beet lifting unit, indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 60, and this unit is mounted for generally vertical movement in the frame II. The beet lifting unit I includes a lifting frame II which includes an upper angle member 52 carrying clamping means II which respectively receive and secure to the angle I2 the upper ends of a pair of vertically extending laterally spaced standards II to the lower ends of which lifting plows II are secured, each having a rearwardly and upwardly extending beet guiding rod or extension 58. The lifting frame II, in addition to the upper cross angle 52, includes a lower cross angle 51 which at its ends is rigidly secured to the standards H by clips 58, the clips 68 being similar to the clips or clamps 5!. The frame Ii also includes a pair of vertical angles Bl which at their upper ends are secured to the horizontal flange of the upper cross angle 52 and at their lower ends are secured to the lower horizontal flange of the lower cross angle 51. A cross brace 62 is disposed substantially midwa of the ends of the vertical angles 8i and has its ends bolted or otherwise secured to the rear faces of the angles 6 I. A generally U-shaped member 64 has its ends 85 secured against the ends of the cross brace 82, the intermediate portion of the member 84 being spaced from the brace 62. The two members 62 and N form supports for a pair of shafts 81 and 88, the latter being secured in the members 52 and 84 by suitable bearing means. A brace 89 is secured at its upper forward end to the angle 62 and at its lower rearward end to the intermediate portion of the U-shaped bar 84.

Mounted on the two shafts 61 and 88, between the members 82 and B4, is a pair of laterally swingable Journal-supporting bracket castings II, the members H being swingable generally about the axes of the shafts i1 and 6!, respectively. In the lower swinging end of each of the members H is a kicker wheel shaft 18, and each kicker wheel shaft I3 is connected to be driven from the associated drive shaft, 81 or 68, by a pair of bevel gears 14. The rear ends of the two kicker wheel drive shafts 81 and 88 respectively receive intermeshing gears I1 and I8, and a driving sprocket member 19 is mounted on the rear extended end of the laterally inner knicker wheel drive shaft 81. The means by which the sprocket 19 is driven from the power take-on shaft of the tractor will be described below. A beet engaging and handling member in the form of a kicker wheel 8| is secured to the lower end of each of the kicker wheel shafts 13, the latter extending generally downwardly and laterally outwardly and rearwardly. The particular form of the beet engaging and handling members BI is substantially the same as shown in the co-pending application, Serial No. 371,152, filed December 21, 1940, by Claude W. Walz, now United States Letters Patent No. 2,337,699, issued December 28, 1943, to which reference may be made if necessary. By virtue of the laterally swingable shaftsupporting castings II, the kicker wheels ll and associated parts are free to swing laterally inwardly and outwardly about the axes of their supporting shafts 61 and 88. Rod means, preferably in the form of a pair of interconnected eyebolts 83, each carrying a spring 84 and an adjusting nut 85, extend through openings formed respectively in the rearwardly turned ends of brackets that are fixed to the members H. The springs 84 are under compression and therefore serve to yieldingly urge the beet engaging wheels 8| toward one another, the wheels however bein capable of moving laterally outwardly to accommodate the passage of large beets. The beet engaging wheels 8| are disposed upwardly and to the rear of the beet lifting plows 5i, and as best disclosed in the above-mentioned Walz patent, the beet engaging wheels function to grasp the beets loosened by the plows i5 and forcibly prolest the beets upwardly and rearwardly. The kicker wheels 8| are fixed to the shafts It by set screws 81 which, when loosened, permit the kicker wheels to be raised and lowered on the shafts 18 so as to adjust their position relative to the plows 55 for the purpose of accommodating excessively large or excessively small beets, as may be necessary. At their inner ends the eyebolts 83 are connected to an anchoring stud Bl.

A transfer elevator, indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral is pivotally connected at its rear end with the rear portion of the frame I! and at its forward end is disposed to receive beets from the lifting unit 50. A pair of vertical angles 9| is fixed to the vertical rear flange of the angle l8 and each angle 8! at its lower end below the angle Ill extends downwardly and forwardly. A bracket 82 is fixed to each forwardly bent end of the two angles 9i and the brackets 92 are apertured to receive a pivot shaft 98. The elevator or conveyor 90 includes a pair of plates OI apertured to receive the pivot shaft 98, by which the rear end of the transfer conveyor is supported for generally vertical swinging movement. A forward bracket 98 is fixed to the forward end of each side wall 94 and the brackets 96 are apertured to receive an idle cross shaft 91. An endless conveyor element of any suitable construction. such as or similar to a potato elevator chain, is supported by suitable sprockets or other means on the two shafts 93 and 91, as disclosed in more detail in our parent application, and the sprockets or the like on the shaft 83 serve to drive the transfer conveyor element. In normal operating position, as shown in full lines in Figure 2, the forward end of the transfer elevator 90 is disposed closely adjacent the rear of the beet lifting rods 56 and substantially underneath the kicker wheels BL,

To each of the side walls of the elevator Bil an extension shield It! is pivoted. Each extension shield comprises a sheet I03 secured in any suitable manner to an arm I which is pivoted, at I05, to the associated front bracket 95. Each arm I04 is provided with an extension I01 that is connected by a chain M8 to a fixed point on the frame i5, such as a bolt I08, the latter preferably carrying a hook member by which the effective length of the chain I08 may be adjusted by engaging the chain at different points therewith. A stop member H0 is provided for each shield Hi2 to limit its movement in a forward direction, each stop means llll consisting of a rod ill pivoted to the associated side wall 84 and extending upwardly through an eye II! carried by the shield. The upper end of the rod iii is provided with a stop collar H3 or similar part whereby the engagement therewith of the eye I H on the shield limits the forward swinging of the latter to substantially the position shown in dotted lines, Figure 2. Thus, in the lowered position of the transfer elevator 90, the front end thereof is supported by the chains I08, and the latter members serve to position the shields I02 generally rearwardly and above the kickerwheels 8| so as to guide beets and the like projected rearwardly by the kicker wheels 8| into the elevator 30.

The frame of the beet lifting unit 50 is arranged for vertical movement in the frame I5. To this end, a U-shaped member I (Figure 1) having an intermediate portion I25 and end portions I21 and I 20 is mounted for lateral adjustment on the vertical flange of the transverse cross bar 2| by any suitable means, such as bolt and slot means I (Figure 3). The rearwardly extending arm portions I21 and I28 of the member I25 carry rollers I82 (Figure 2) which are disposed on opposite sides of the associated lifting plow standards 54. A pair of links I35, one at each side of the beet lifter frame unit 50, are connected at their forward ends to a cross bar I38 carried at the lower ends of the two front vertical frame bars 21. A roller I38 is disposed at the rear end of each of the links I and a pin I88 is carried by the rear end of each link I35 in front of the associated lifting plow standards 54. In the uppermost position of the vertically shiftable lifter frame 5| (full lines, Figure 2) the lower portions of the shanks 54 engage the rear ends of the links I35 and lift them into a transport position. When the beet lifting unit is lowered into operating position (dotted lines) the links I35 remain in a generally horizontal position, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 2, being held in that position by a pair of stop rods I4! pivoted at their upper ends to lugs I42 carried by the intermediate portion I25 of the U-shaped member I25. An angle I43 connects the links I35 and is apertured to receive the lower end of the rods I 4|. A pair of stop collars I44 are cartied in spaced apart relation on the lower end of each rod MI. The rods I keep the links I35 from dropping downwardly too far and are effective to hold them in a position to transmit the forward draft to the plow standards 54.

A lifting chain I5I is connected at its upper end to the power lift arm 8 and at its lower end is connected to a clip I52 fixed to the transverse angle 51 forming a part of the beet lifter frame II. Thus, whenever the power lift of the tractor is actuated to swing the power lift arm 8 up into the lifted position, the beet lifting unit is raised Into a transport position, as shown in full lines in Figure 2. For adjusting the depth of operation of the lifting plows 55 when the unit i lowered into operating position (dotted lines, Figure 2), we provide a hand lever I54 pivoted at I55 to an angle or bracket I55 fixed to the forward side of the angle 2|. The hand lever I54 operates along I. sector I59 and has fixed thereto an arm I5| to which a chain I52 (Figure 1) is fixed at its upper end. The lower end of the chain I52 is connected with the lifter frame 5I in any suitable manner. By this means, when the power lift arm 8 is lowered, the lifting chain I5| goes slack and the weight of the lifting unit 50 is supported through the chain I52 on the adjusting lever I54, whereby movement of the latter adjusts the operating depth of the lifting plows 55 and the positions of the kicker wheels 8|.

When the lifting unit 50 is raised into an inoperative position it is desirable also to raise the transfer elevator 90, and to this end a cable I55 is connected at its upper end to the vertically ahiftable lifting frame 5| and is trained over a pair of pulleys I66 and I51 and at its lower end is connected to the outer pivoted shield arm I54.

As best shown in dotted lines in Figure 2, when the parts are in the lowered position, the front end of the transfer elevator is supported on the chains I08 and the lifting cable I55 is slack. The pull exerted by the chains I58 holds the shields 83 in the operating position. However, when the lifting unit 50 is raised by the upward movement of the power lift arm 9, after the raising movement has progressed to a certain extent the cable I55 becomes taut, which first swings the shields I02 upwardly and rearwardly, as shown in full lines in Figure 2, out of the way of the kicker wheels 8|, then continued upward movement of the lifting frame 5| exerts a pull through the cable IE5 and raises the front end of the transfer elevator into its transport position. It will be noted from Figure 2 that the front end of the elevator is not raised until after the lifting plows 55 and the kicker wheels 5| have been raised through a part of their movement. This is arranged in this way in order to permit the front portion of the transfer elevator to move into a position underneath the beet guiding rods 55, and as just described the action of the cable I55 is to swing the shields I02 rearwardly and out of the way of the kicker eels.

The sprocket 19, which drives the kicker wheel shafts through the gears 14, 11 and I8, is driven from the power take-off shaft, and to this end, a driving sprocket 21| is fixed to the rear end of the power take-off shaft 45 and drives a sprocket chain 212 which extends laterally and upwardly toward the left of the tractor and at its upper end-is trained over a sprocket 214 which is fixed to the forward end of a drive shaft 215. At an intermediate point on the shaft 215, a sprocket 211 is fixed and which drives a sprocket chain 218, as best shown in Figure 3. The chain 218 passes around a spring biased idler 219 and around the sprocket 19 which, as described above, is fixed to the rear extended and of the kicker wheel drive shaft 61. Rearwardly of the sprocket 211 is a bevel gear 28| which meshes with and drives a companion bevel gear 282 fixed to the left end of a transverse shaft 283 journaled for rotation in suitable bearing brackets supported by the frame bar 24 and an auxiliary frame bar 284 (Figure 3). As best shown in Figure 1, a sprocket 285 is fixed to the right end of the cross shaft 253 and receives a driving chain 281 which passes over a pair of idler gears 288 journaled on the frame I5 and also over a rear sprocket 289 which is fixed to the upper shaft 93 of the transfer elevator 90. A shield 29| (Figure 2) covers the two gears 11 and 18 that drive the kicker wheels 8!. A topping unit (not shown) on the front of the tractor is driven by a sprocket chain 3M which at its rear end is trained around a sprocket (III that is fixed to the transverse shaft 283. The forward portion of the chain 3|0 is trained over a sprocket fixed to a cross shaft 3 2 supported by suitable brackets forward of the rear axle of the tractor.

Referring now to Figures 4 et seq., wherein a modified form of kicker wheel unit, especially constructed to provide for relatively free lateral movement thereof with respect to the tractor is provided for, the rear frame is the same as described above and hence the same reference numerals will be used, the same being true of other parts which are substantiall identical to the parts previously described. In this form of the invention a bracket III is fixed at its upper end to the rear face of the rear cross bar I8 and is apertured and receives suitable bearing means in which the rear end of the drive shaft 215 is Journaled. The kicker wheel drive in this form of the invention is somewhat different from the kicker wheel drive shown in Figures 1-3, in order to accommodate the above-mentioned relatively free lateral swinging of the kicker wheel unit. The kicker wheel drive comprises a sprocket I12 connected, preferably through slip clutch means I13, with the rear end of the drive shaft 213. A sprocket chain I14 is trained around the sprocket I12 and extends laterally upwardly and inwardly, passing over an idler I13 and around a sprocket I11 fixed to a relatively short shaft I13. for rotation and supported on the frame I! by a pair of brackets I19 and I99. The forward end of the shaft I19 is connected by a universal Joint I32 with a telescopic shaft section I93, the forward end of which is connected by a second universal Joint I84 directly to the rear end of the kicker wheel shaft 51a.

The kicker frame, indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral I99, is slightly different from the kicker frame described above. In this form of the invention the kicker wheel frame comprises an upper transverse member in the form of a pair of upper angles I9I welded together, each having a pair of slots I92 adjacent each end. A pair of apertured brackets I93 are fixed as by welding or the like to the lower angle I9I, and cooperating with the brackets I93 is a rearwardly disposed gear support I94 comprising a generally U-shaped member having its forwardly extending ends secured as by welding to the end portions of the lower angle I9I, preferably underneath the lower horizontal flange thereof. The kicker wheel drive shafts 91a and 69a. are rotatably supported by suitable hearings in the brackets I93 and the bracket support I94. Gears 11a. and 1841 are fixed to the rear ends, respectively, of the kicker wheel drive shafts 61a and 98a, and since the forward universal joint I84 is fixed to the rear end of the drive shaft 61a, by virtue of the gears 11a and "in, both of the kicker wheel drive shafts are driven from the drive shaft 215.

The kicker wheel frame also includes a pair of channels I96 and I91 disposed in a generally vertical position with their flanges facing one another and spaced apart so as to provide a vertical slot I93 therebetween. At their upper ends the channels I99 and I91 are secured as by welding to the central portion of the lower transverse angle I9I and at their lower ends the channels are secured as by welding to a lower transverse member in the form of a beam guide bar I93 apertured at its ends. A pair of braces 299 connect the ends of the bar I99 to the flange of the lower angle I9I at the ends of the latter. A pair of kicker wheel shafts 13a are journaled for rotation in brackets He that are swingably mounted on the central portions of the kicker wheel drive shafts 91a and- 99a. and bevel gears 14a connect the downwardly extending kicker wheel shafts with the longitudinally extending kicker wheel drive shafts.

The lift points 5511 are fixed to generally vertically extending beams 54a which extend upwardly through the apertures in the beam guide bar I99. At their upper ends the shanks 5411 are received between clamping members 2M and 292 which, by means of bolts extending through the slots I92 in the angle I9I, serve to secure the clamps to the angle I9I. The upper ends of the shanks or beams 54a where they are received by the clamps MI, 292 are round. The

The latter shaft is journaled shanks 34a are loosely received by the lower guide bar I99, andby loosening the clamping bolts 293,

the shanks 94 may be adjusted upwardly or downwardly, or they may be rotated to bring the forward ends of the points closer together or farther apart. or the clamps "I, 292 may be shifted relative to the slots I92 thus spreadinl the points a bodily farther apart or closer together. A clip 29! is welded to the channels I99 and I91 and receives eyebolts 293 and 291 that carry springs 299. The springs 293 bear against arms 299 that are fastened to the laterally swingable members 1Ia for urging them to swing toward one another. Kicker wheels 3| are carried at the lower ends of the kicker wheel shafts 1311. section 2 is fixed rigidly to the central portion of the lower bar I99 of the kicker wheel frame, and a link 2I3 is pivoted at its lower end, as at 2i 4, to the bracket section 2 and at its upper end to a rearwardly extending arm 2i! connected in any suitable manner to the power lift shaft 3 of the tractor T. The bracket extension 2 is of such length that the pivot point 2 lies above the c. g. of the vertically shiftabie kicker wheel unit. The power lift arm 2|! is floatingly connected with the power lift shaft 8 by virtue of being pivoted to the latter through a short arm 2 I it that is fixed to the latter but is provided with a pair of lugs 2" which engage underneath a portion of the arm 2I6. By virtue of this construction, raising movement of the short arm 2" acts through the arm M9 to raise the kicker wheel unit, but in the lowering direction the arm 2I5 need not follow the short arm 2I6. In order to adjust the vertical position of the kicker wheel frame, and thereby adjust the normal depth of operation of the lifting points, a depth adjusting lever 22I is pivotally mounted on the front angle 2i and has an arm 223 that is adapted to be engaged by a pin 222 carried on the rear end of the arm 2I5. Thus, by changing the position of the adjusting lever 22I, the arm 2|! may be stopped in different positions relative to the main frame I5.

' The upper portion of the kicker wheel frame is connected to the frame I! by means of a bracket 225 that is bolted, as at 228. to the front angle 2| of the main frame, preferably the bolts 225 passing through the slots through which the bolts I39 in Figure 3 extend. The bracket 225 at its rear end carries a pivot 23I on which a pair of rollers 232 are journaled. The rollers are received within the slot I99 formed by the opposed channels I96 and I91. The kicker wheel frame may move upwardly or downwardly relative to the rollers 232 on the bracket 235 and also the kicker wheel frame may swing generally laterally about the rollers as a form of pivotal support.

The lower end of the kicker wheel frame is stabilized by a pair of draft links 239 and 231 which at their rear ends are pivotally and slidably connected with the lower ends of the lift shanks 54a. and at their forward ends are connected with a transverse bar 239 by a pair of pivot yokes 239. The pivot yokes 239 are linked together, as at 2, and are held against lateral shifting on the bar 239 by a notched lug 242 welded to a cross bar 249 fixed at its opposite ends to the brackets 243 that form a. part of the topping unit push frame 244. The bar 233 is supported at the lower ends of vertical frame angles 35. The forward connections of the links 239 and 231 provide for lateral swinging of the links relative to the tractor. and there is sufficient looseness to accommodate the kicker wheel unit, including the beams 54a, swinging laterally an appreciable distances in each direction from a central position, generally about the draft connection 225, 232 as a center. A pair of crossed links 235 and 231 connect the draft links 235 and 231 so as to limit the lateral swinging of the kicker wheel unit. Where the chains 245 and 231 are slack the lateral swinging of the kicker wheel unit is free so that as the outfit travels down a row of beets, any irregularities of the beets in the row are readily accommodated, but in certain condi tions, as where the ground is hard. the chains 245 and 2" may be arranged substantially taut so as to hold the pullers 550. against lateral swinging. In order to keep the rear ends of the draft links 235 and 231 from dropping down too far along the lower ends of the shanks 54a, we provide a pair of generally upwardly extending links 255 on each of which is formed an eye at its upper end, each eye being apertured and pivoted on a pin 25| carried by the draft bracket 225 and in generally longitudinal alignment with the roller unit 23l, 232 so that the relation between the upper ends of the links 253 and the axis of lateral swinging of the kicker wheel unit is not varied. At the lower end, each of the links 255 carries an elongated U-shaped rod 252 welded to the lower end of the link and encircling the associated draft link. 235 or 231. Each of the draft links is provided with a pair of lugs 253 so as to keep the lower end of each link from shifting fore or aft along the associated draft link. The U-shaped rod members 252 thus provide slots in which the rear ends of the draft links 235 and 231 are disposed, the lower end of such slots limiting the downward movement of the draft links, and the upper end of such slots serve to limit the upward swinging of the links 235 and 231 relative to the kicker wheel unit. It will be remembered that the bracket 225 is carried by the main frame i5 and not by the kicker wheel frame. The links 255 serve about the same purpose as the links I described above in connection with Figure 2.

A transfer elevator unit, indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 3|5, is, according to the present invention, mounted for vertical adjustment on the main frame l5. The transfer elevator unit 3|5 comprises a downwardly and forwardly extending frame including angles 3|5 extending to a point adjacent the rear portions of the pullers 55a and upper angle extensions 3" that preferably are welded or otherwise firmly fixed to the upper ends of the angles 3|5. A yoke angle 3|! is fixed at its lower ends, as by welding or the like, to the angles 3|5. A slotted clip MI is fixed to the intermediate portion of the yoke angle M9 and a lifting bar 322 is extended through the slot in the clip 32l. The rear end of the lifting bar 322, which is disposed generally centrally above the transfer elevator unit 3|5, is plvotally connected, as at 323, at its rear end to a bracket 324 carried by the rear frame angle |3 of the main frame IS. The front end of the lifting bar 322 is connected by a link 325 to a bracket 325 carried by a cover 321 for the kicker wheel drive gears 11a and 180.. A collar 325 is adjustably fixed to the upper end of the link 325, and by fixing the collar 328 to the link 325 in difierent positions the vertical position of the front end of the transfer elevator 3| 5 may be adjusted. The upper end of the link 325 is formed as a handle 33| to facilitate raising the front end of the transfer elevator whenever desired, as when readjusting the position of the collar 323. The transfer elevator 3|5 includes a more or less conventional endless element 335 trained over rollers 335 at the front end and sprockets at the rear end of the element 335. the sprockets being fixed to a drive shaft 331 carried by the frame bars 3|5. By means of a pair of brackets 333 the transfer elevator unit 3|5 is pivoted for generally vertical swinging movement, as at 335, to the lower end of a pair of bars 35| disposed generally vertically and serving as downwardly depending main frame extensions which are adapted to be fixed in different positions of adjustment to the lower ends of the angles Bic. Either the bars 3|| or the angles 3|c, or both, are provided with a plurality of openings to receive fastening bolts 342 or the like whereby the position of the transfer elevator 3 may be adjusted vertically on the main frame I5. The transfer elevator unit 3|5 includes side rods carried by the yoke angle M3 and the rear upper frame angles 3 IT.

The purpose in having the transfer elevator 3|5 vertically adjustable is to accommodate the position of the same when the harvester is attached to tractors having different size tires. That is, with the larger diameter tires the tractor may stand up higher with respect to the ground level than in other cases, but in all cases it is desirable to have the front end of the transfer elevator 3|5 as close to the ground as possible and at as small an angle as possible with respect to the horizontal. In view of the vertical adjustment of the transfer elevator 3|5, it is also desirable to vertically adjust the position of the beet elevator into which the transfer elevator 3l5 is adapted to deliver the beets projected over from the pullers by the kicker wheels 3|. As best shown in Figure 5, the elevator hopper is indicated by the reference numeral 350 and comprises a supporting structure in the nature of a pair of arms 35| which are carried adjustably by the lower ends of a pair of vertically disposed members 353 that form a part of the main elevator support yoke 354. Preferably, each arm includes a vertical section 355 and a horizontal section 355 suitably welded or otherwise rigidly fixed one to the other. The forward ends of the horizontal arm sections 355 carry rollers 353 on which the main elevator conveyor is mounted. and the vertical sections 355 are provided with a plurality of apertures to receive one or more supporting bolts 353 which secure the arms to the lower ends of the members 353 in different positions of adjustment. The arms 35| are apertured to receive a pivot pipe 35| to which the lower end of the main elevator is connected. The hopper 355 also includes a forwardly extending arcuate band 355 which is fastened rigidly to the horizontal arm sections 355 and serves to confine the outwardly swingable elements 355 that are pivoted to an arcuate yoke 351. The yoke 351 is adapted to be fixed to the lower portions of the vertical frame bars Bla in different positions of adjustment so as to dispose the lower ends of the swinging bars 355 in the correct relation with respect to the lower confining band 355 which, being carried by the arms 35| and forming a part of the main elevator hopper structure 350. are adjusted vertically when the arms 35| are adjusted vertically.

In the form of the invention just described. the operation of the tractor power lift, when it is desired to raise the pullers 55a, results also more closely adjacent the lifting link "I when the elevator is in its lowered position than when it is in its raised position, since the clip III slides along the lifting bar I22 as the latter is raised. This particular arrangement results in preventing the lower end of the transfer elevator Ii! from colliding with the kicker wheels ll. When it is desired to place the machine in operation, the tractor power lift is lowered but the lowered position of the pullers Ila depends upon the setting of the depth adjusting hand lever Iii. Likewise the position of the front end of the transfer elevator III is adjusted. The kicker wheel frame unit I" may swing laterally as well as move up and down, generally about the rollers I as an axis, depending upon the amount of slack placed in the chains 8 and I". It is generally preferable to arrange the kicker wheel unit so that it can shift laterally with respect to the tractor and thus follow the beets in the row. The front end of the transfer elevator II! is of sumcieut width to receive the beets proiected rearwardly by the kicker wheels ll even though the kicker wheel unit may shift laterally at its lower end with respect to the tractor in order to follow the row. By virtue of the two universal Joints II! and ill and the telescopic shaft in, the drive is transmitted to the kicker wheel shafts without interference by the lateral swinging of the kicker wheel unit. Raising and lowering the elevator hopper "II and the transfer elevator ill permits the owner to adjust these parts to the particular tractor on which the implement is carried.

While we have shown and described above the preferred structure in which the principles of the present invention have been incorporated. it is to be understood that our invention is not to be limited to the particular details shown and described above. but that. in fact, widely different means may be employed in the practice of the broader aspects of our invention.

What we claim. therefore, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A beet lifting device for beet harvesters and the like. comprising a frame. said frame including a generally transverse upper section and a generally transverse lower section. a pair of beet lifting members. each including a generally upwardly extending shank, a pair of shank-engaging clamps carried by said upper transverse se tion. means on the lower transverse section shiftably receiving said shanks, and beet handling means carried by said frame generally rearwardly and upwardly of the lower portions of said beet lifting members.

2. In a beet harvester including a pair of beet lifting members, a kicker wheel unit comprising a frame, a pair of kicker wheels mounted thereon and disposed generally rearwardly of said beet lifting members, and means connecting said frame with said beet harvester comprising a part carried by the harvester and part-receiving means on the kicker wheel frame swingably receiving said part and thereby providing for generally lateral swinging movement of said kicker wheel unit relative to said beet harvester.

3. In a beet harvester, a beet lifting and handling unit comprising a frame, a pair of lifting plows carried thereby, a pair of rotatable kicker wheels also carried by said frame and disposed generally rearwardly of said lifting plows, sup- 12 porting means carried by said harvester, and means on said unit engageable with said supporting means on the harvester for connecting said frame with the part on said beet harvester for generally lateral swingable movement.

4. In a beet harvester. a beet lifting and handling unit comprising a frame, a pair of lifting plows carried thereby, a pair of rotatable kicker wheels also carried by said frame and disposed generally rearwardly of said lifting plows, a part carried by said harvester, and means on said unit frame for swingably connecting said frame with the part on said beet harvester for both vertical movement and laterally swingable movement relative thereto.

5. In a beet harvester, a beet lifting and bandling unit comprising a frame, a pair of lifting plows carried thereby. a pair of rotatable kicker wheels also carried by said frame and disposed generally rearwardly of said lifting plows, a draft connection carried by said harvester in substantially fixed relation, and means on said frame for receiving said draft connection and accommodating both vertical movement and lateral swinging movement of the frame relative to the harvester.

6. In a beet harvester. a beet lifting and handling unit comprising a frame, a pair of lifting plows carried thereby, a pair of rotatable kicker wheels also carried by said frame and disposed generally rearwardly of said lifting plows, a draft connection carried by said harvester in substantially fixed relation, and means connecting said draft connection with said frame for accommodating both vertical movement and lateral swinging movement of the frame relative to the harvester, said last mentioned connecting means including a pair of opposed channels carried by said frame, a pair of axially aligned rollers carried by said fixed draft connection and disposed within said channels.

7. A tractor mounted beet harvester comprising a beet lifter frame, means comprising a pair of relatively movable interconnected parts. one on the tractor and one on said frame, for connectlng the latter with the tractor for lateral movement relative thereto, plow means carried by said frame for lifting beets out of the ground. a pair of generally downwardly and rearwardly disposed shafts, rotatable beet engaging elements carried by the lower ends of said shafts rearwardly of said plow means so as to receive beets therefrom. means swingably supporting said shafts on said beet lifter frame for generally lateral movement so that said rotatable beet engaging elements may move relative to said frame toward and away from each other, and spring means for urging said elements toward each other to engage beets and propel them rearwardly therefrom.

8. A beet lifting device for beet harvesters, comprising a pair of generally longitudinally extending laterally spaced apart driving shafts. frame means therefor, a pair of interconnected relatively movable parts, one shiftable laterally relative to the other, means connecting one of said parts to the harvester, means connecting the other of said parts to said frame means, shaftsupporting Journals swingabiy mounted on said driving shafts, a driven shaft carried by each of said journals in depending relation. beet lifting means carried by the lower ends of said driven shafts and shiftable relative to said frame means toward and away from each other by lateral swinging of said Journals on said driving shafts,

and means for driving the driven shafts from the driving shafts.

9. A beet lifting device for beet harvesters, comprising plow means for lifting beets out of the ground, a generally vertically shlftable frame to which said plow means is connected to be raised and lowered into and out of transport and working positions, a pair of interconnected relatively movable parts, one shiftable laterally relatlve to the other, means connecting the other of said parts to said frame. a pair of generally longitudinally extending laterally spaced apart driving shafts carried by said frame. shaft-sup porting journals swingably mounted on said driving shafts, a driven shaft carried by each of said journals in depending relation, beet lifting means carried by the lower ends of said driven shafts and shiftable toward and away from each other by lateral swinging of said journals on said driving shafts, means for driving the driven shafts from the driving shafts, and means for raising and lowering said frame so as to raise and lower both said plow means and said beet engaging elements.

10. In a beet harvester, means serving as a generally longitudinally extending main support adapted to pass down a row of beets, an attachment frame adapted to be fixed to the rear portion of said main frame, a beet liftin and handling unit swingably connected with and disposed generally adjacent the forward portion of said attachment frame and including elements adapted to engage and propel beets generally rearwardly, a power take-oil shaft on said main support and means for driving said elements including a longitudinally extending shaft supported on said attachment frame and operatively connected at its front end with a source of power, shaft means supported at its rear end on the rear portion of said attachment frame and at its forward end on said swingable unit and including universal joints accommodating the relative movement between the unit and the attachment frame, and means operatively connecting the rear portion of said longitudinal shaft with the rear end portion of said shaft means.

11. In a tractor mounted beet harvester, frame means, means for fixedly securing said frame means to the rear end of the tractor, a laterally swlngable beet lifting and handling unit connected with the rear of the tractor in draftreceiving relationship and including parts to be driven, means on said frame means for movably receiving said unit, and a telescopic shaft unit including a first section carried by said unit, a second section carried by the rear portion of said frame means, means including universal joint means connecting said sections so as to transmit the drive to said parts while accommodating re ative movement between said unit and said tractor carried frame means, and means for drivin said second shaft section from the power take-off shaft of the tractor.

12. In a tractor mounted beet harvester adapted to be mounted on a tractor having a power takeoff shaft. a main frame adapted to be fixed to the tractor, a beet lifting and handling unit comprising a unit frame, means connecting the unit frame with the main frame for generally lateral movement relative thereto, generally longitudinally disposed shaft means carried by said unit frame and rotatable beet engaging means driven from said shaft means. and a driving connection between said shaft means and the tractor power take-off shaft including telescopic shaft and uni- 14 versal joint means extending between said power take-off shaft and said longitudinal shaft means and accommodating movement thereof relative to the main frame incident to the lateral movement of said beet lifting unit.

13, In beet lifting apparatus, frame means having upper and lower portions, the lower portion including a part having a pair of laterally spaced openings, a pair of beet lifting plows having shanks extending upwardly, respectively, through said openings and carrying beet lifting means at their lower ends below said lower frame portion, and laterally shlftable and adjustable clamping means carried by said upper frame portion and shlftable relative thereto for connecting the upper ends of said shanks with the upper frame portion, said clamping means accommodating both vertical movement and rotary movement of said shanks relative thereto into different positions of adjustment, lateral shifting of said clamping means relative to said upper frame means serving to carry said beet lifting means at the lower ends of said shanks toward oraway from one another.

14. In a tractor mounted beet harvester adapted to be mounted on a tractor having a power lift unit of the type having a stop-engaging portion, means serving as a main frame mounted on the tractor, a generally vertically movable lifting unit carried by said main frame and movable vertically relative thereto. a lifting connection between said lifting unit and said power lift, and means for limiting the downward movement of said lifting unit relative to said main frame, including a hand lever mounted on said main frame and a generally vertically adjustable stop operated by the hand lever and adapted to be engaged by said portion of the power lift so as to act through said lifting connection for limiting the downward movement of the beet lifting unit.

15. In a tractor mounted beet harvester attachment, adapted to be mounted on a tractor having a power lift arm swingable generally vertically at one side of the tractor, a supporting frame adapted to be rigidly fixed to the rear portion of said tractor, a vertically shlftable beet lifter frame carried by said supporting frame for generally vertical movement relative thereto and generally at the side of said supporting frame underneath said power lift arm, a connection from the latter to said beet lifter frame for raising and lowering the latter, and means for guiding said vertically shlftable beet lifter frame during its vertical shifting movements.

16. In a tractor mounted beet harvester at tachment, adapted to be mounted on a tractor having a power lift arm swingable generally vertically at one side of the tractor, a supporting frame adapted to be rigidly fixed to the rear portion of said tractor, a vertically shlftable beet lifter fram carried by said main frame for generally vertical movement relative thereto and generally at the side of said supporting frame underneath said power lift arm, a connection from the latter to said beet lifter frame for raising and lowering the latter, guide means carried by said main frame, and cooperating means on said beet lifter frame movable in sa d guide means by the operation of said power lift arm.

1'1. In a tractor mounted beet harvester. a main frame adapted to be rigidly secured to the rear portion of said tractor, a generally rearwardly extending bracket connected to said main frame adjacent the forward portion thereof, a

beet lifting unit including a generally vertically movable frame, cooperating guide means on the 'vertically movable frame engaging opposite side portions of said generally rearwardly extending bracket, said bracket and guide means being constructed and arranged to accommodate limited lateral swinging of said vertically movable frame relative to the main frame, means carried adlacent the rear portion of said main frame to receive beets from said unit in any lateral position thereof and means for raising and lowering said vertically shiftable frame relative to said main frame.

18. In a tractor mounted beet harvester, a main frame adapted to be rigidly secured to the rear portion of said tractor, a generally rearwardly extending bracket connected to said main frame, a beet lifting unit including a generally vertically movable frame. cooperating guide means on the vertically movable frame engaging opposite side portions of said generally rearwardly extending bracket, and means on said main frame for raising and lowering said vertically shiftable frame, said bracket and cooperating guide means being disposed generally centrally in a lateral direction of said beet lifting unit.

19. In a tractor mounted beet harvester, a supporting frame, means for fixing said supporting frame to the rear of said tractor, a vertically shiftable beet lifting unit movably carried at the forward portion of said supporting frame, a vertically swingable transfer elevator disposed rearwardly of said lifting unit and adapted to receive beets therefrom, means pivotally supporting the rear portion of said transfer elevator on the rear portion of said supporting frame, and means for raising and lowering the front portion of said transfer elevator from said supporting frame relative to said vertically shiftable beet lifting unit. I

20. In a beet harvester including a mobile supporting frame, an attachment frame, means for fixing said attachment frame to said supporting frame, a sub-frame. beet lifting plow means carried by the lower portion of said sub-frame, means connecting said sub-frame with said attachment frame for generally lateral and vertical shifting movement, comprising a pair of parts, one fixed to said sub-frame and the other fixed to said attachment frame, said parts including interengaging means accommodating both vertical movement and lateral movement of the subframe relative to said attachment frame, and means for raising and lowering the sub-frame relative to the attachment frame.

21. The invention set forth in claim 20, further characterized by a power driven connection on the rear portion of said attachment frame. rotatable beet engaging means mounted on said subframe and shiftable laterally and vertically therewith relative to' said attachment frame. and

- a flexible driving connection extending from said 'power driven connection on the rear of the attachment frame forwardly to said rotatable beet engaging means.

CLAUDE W. WALZ. ROBERT D. GRIFF. CLARENCE T. RABMUSSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 627,209 Schmidt June 20, 1899 1,140,202 Smith May 18, 1915 1,668,157 Kopitke May 1, 1928 1,714,889 Raoult May 28. 1929 1,721,122 Johnson July 16, 1929 2,062,711 Hansen Dec. 1, 1936 2,072,186 Sishc Mar. 2, 1931 2,174,310 'Iuft Sept. 26, 1939 2,185,350 Michael Jan. 2. 1940 2,256,563 Kamplade Sept. 23, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 22,314 Denmark July 30. 1917 120,053 France Aug. 27, 1877 225,738 Great Britain 1924 

